Trenton–Mercer Airport


Trenton–Mercer Airport is a county-owned, joint civil–military, public airport located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. Formerly known as Mercer County Airport, the airport serves one scheduled airline plus general and corporate aviation. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 473,000 passengers departed and 469,000 arrived at the airport in the 12 months ending February 2020, for a total of 942,000 passengers.
Trenton–Mercer is the third busiest airport in New Jersey with an average of 308 aircraft operations per day. As of May 2018, Trenton was the 5th fastest growing airport in the US.
Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 24,634 passenger boardings in calendar year 2007, 974 enplanements in 2008, 561 in 2009, 853 in 2010, 3,414 in 2011, 6,459 in 2012, 148,256 in 2013, and 377,961 in 2014. It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023, in which it is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.

History

The first airplane landed at what is now Trenton–Mercer Airport in 1907, in what was then Alfred Reeder's farm field, just off of Bear Tavern Road in Ewing. Twenty-two years later in 1929 Skillman Airport opened to the public.
During World War II the nearby General Motors Inland Fisher Guide Plant ceased producing civilian vehicles and began making Grumman TBF Avenger carrier-based torpedo bombers for the United States Navy. Skillman Airport expanded to accommodate test flights of this aircraft, and after the airport returned to county control following the end of the war it was renamed Mercer County Airport. After the war, the navy reestablished a presence with the construction of Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton adjacent to the airport, which remained open until 1997.
Airport Air Traffic Control operations based in the control tower were 6 AM to Midnight during the 1980s and early 1990s. Since January 1994, tower operations have been shortened to 6 AM to 10 PM.
In 1995 the airport's name was changed to Trenton–Mercer Airport in an effort to identify it with the city of Trenton.
On March 11, 1998 an NWS/FAA Automated Surface Observing System became operational at the airport, replacing the human weather observers which had previously reported weather conditions.
For many years the county has planned to expand the airport and attract more commercial airlines. These plans have been opposed by residents along the flight path living in Ewing, Lawrence, Hopewell, and Pennington. Opposition has also been expressed in Pennsylvania among residents living along the flight path in Yardley and Lower Makefield.
In 1994 as a cost-cutting measure, the Mercer County Airport Police and Fire Department was disbanded and replaced by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and ProTec Fire Services.

Ground transportation

Mercer County has a variety of taxi cab companies which operate from the Trenton Transit Center which services the Northeast Corridor via Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and SEPTA railroads.
No public transportation options pick up or drop off passengers in front of the terminal, but nearby bus and train routes exist. There are no sidewalks, nor shoulders, along the roads that lead to the passenger terminal.
The Trenton–Mercer Airport is within walking distance of the West Trenton train station. This train station serves Philadelphia and points south, but not New York or points north.
On weekdays, NJ Transit's 607 bus stops just outside the airport grounds, at Bear Tavern Rd and Cardinal Dr. The 608 bus, which connects to the Hamilton NJT Train Station and Trenton Transit Center, stops less than a mile from the airport terminal at the intersection of Grand Ave and Upper Ferry Rd.

Facilities and aircraft

Trenton–Mercer Airport covers 1,345 acres at an elevation of 212 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 6/24 is 6,006 by 150 feet and 16/34 is 4,800 by 150 feet. The airport has three helipads, H1, H2, and H3, each 64 by 64 feet. To meet FAA requirements that certain runways be equipped with an EMAS bed before the end of 2013, the airport installed EMAS beds at both ends of runway 16/34 in 2012; officials announced plans in early 2013 to close runway 6/24 for two months that fall to install an EMAS bed at both ends.
For the 12-month period ending April 2, 2019 the airport had 112,513 aircraft operations, an average of 308 per day: 92% general aviation, 4% commercial, 4% air taxi, and <1% military. In May 2020, there were 153 aircraft based at this airport: 86 single-engine, 21 multi-engine, 29 jet, and 17 helicopter.
Trenton–Mercer Airport is home to multiple flight schools including Infinity Flight Group, Mercer County Community College, and an ATP Flight School location.

Military facilities and aircraft

The airport is home to Army Aviation Support Facility #2 and the 1st Battalion, 150th Aviation Regiment, otherwise known as the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, the battalion provides ground force commanders of the 42nd Infantry Division with additional air assault, transportation, re-supply, and command and control assets. In its state role under Title 32 United States Code, the unit also provides emergency logistical support in response to disasters or any other emergency support as may be directed by the Governor of New Jersey.
The airport is also home to the Twin Pine Composite Squadron of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

Terminal and future developments

Trenton–Mercer Airport has one terminal with two gates. Gate 2 is divided into 3 sub gates labeled Gates 2–4. On the upper level of the terminal is an observation lounge as well as a restaurant, Sky Lounge at Ewing, serving pub food. Sky Lounge has another location past security near Gate 1 that serves drinks and pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps. Parking is $2 per hour and $8 per day.
On November 8, 2013, Mercer County opened a renovated terminal, including a new modular trailer baggage claim outside the terminal, restrooms in the gate area, and—in the area originally occupied by the baggage claim—additional passenger seating and a new gate.
In August 2014, the Airport was awarded $2.2 million to rehabilitate 3 taxiways. A spokesperson for the county said that this was the first phase of a three-year plan to make further improvements.
In a study commissioned by the county released in 2013, a new passenger terminal, a corporate office park, medical offices and laboratories, and commercial space would be part of a plan to develop available land at the airport. On September 29, 2016, Mercer County in conjunction with firms Urban Engineers and McFarland Johnson held a public meeting at the nearby West Trenton Ballroom meeting hall. Several aspects of the proposed master plan for the airport were revealed. Plans call for a new terminal sized at 115,000–125,000 square feet. The current terminal is 24,780 square feet. The rental car area will house up to 5 rental car agencies and with concession, restrooms and gate area expanding to four times the current area

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

Top destinations

Carrier shares

Former commercial service